It’s quite likely that, in the near future, the House Democratic majority will take steps to obtain Donald Trump’s long-hidden tax returns. Politico reports today that administration officials are “gearing up” to ensure the materials are kept under wraps.

Trump’s Treasury Department is readying plans to drag the expected Democratic request for Trump’s past tax filings, which he has closely guarded, into a quagmire of arcane legal arguments.

At the same time, officials intend to publicly cast the request as a nakedly partisan exercise. The two-pronged scheme was developed by a handful of top political appointees and lawyers inside the department – with the ultimate goal of keeping the president’s past returns private, according to four people familiar with the administration’s approach.

Evidently, the plan rests on a specific argument: if lawmakers obtain the tax materials, they’re likely to leak the documents so that the American public can see them. With this in mind, administration officials intend to argue that Democrats’ untrustworthiness is a worthy justification for ongoing secrecy.

It raises the prospect of a protracted fight, including litigation, that could last months – possibly stretching into the heart of next year’s presidential campaign – all over materials every other president since Watergate has gladly shared with the public in the interests of transparency.

It’s amazing just how much effort Team Trump has invested into keeping those tax returns secret.

At a certain level, the White House’s anxieties are eased, at least a little, by the fact that House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) doesn’t seem especially interested in this issue, and to the irritation of progressive activists, he isn’t rushing to instigate a confrontation.

But the confrontation is nevertheless inevitable. In fact, some lawmakers are taking steps to help keep the fight on the front burner. The Washington Post reported last week:

A House panel is set to examine proposals that would force the public disclosure of presidential and vice-presidential tax returns, a direct challenge from Democrats to President Trump’s norm-breaking decision not to reveal his own.

The hearing of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on oversight is scheduled for the afternoon of Feb. 7, two days after Trump visits Capitol Hill for his State of the Union address.

The panel’s chairman, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), did not provide details about the hearing Thursday beyond its title, “Legislative Proposals and Tax Law Related to Presidential and Vice-Presidential Tax Returns,” and a list of witnesses.

_________________when good people stay silent the right wing are the only ones heard.

again why are right wingers who have given Hillary 8 or so investigations on an issue that pales vs the issues surrounding Trump... why so intend on no investigation on Trump in any way? evn protecting his tax returns. Obviously, they are colluding in collusion with will illegal activities.

Why not? Because their returns have already passed IRS audits year after year after year after year. This BS is nothing more than one more witch hunt looking for some GD minutiae to bitch about. e.g., maybe Trump paid no income taxes some year. If he earned no net income that year, he owes no income taxes. That's the law; get over it. Warren Buffett says he won't pay one cent he doesn't have to because the government wastes far too much.

How about you whiners who didn't like the election outcome let our government, from the legislature to the White House, do their GD job? Any legislator who promises to DO NOTHING BUT TRY TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT, and there have been several, should be banned from holding any national office because s/he is promising to abdicate his real job.

Why not? Because their returns have already passed IRS audits year after year after year after year. This BS is nothing more than one more witch hunt looking for some GD minutiae to bitch about. e.g., maybe Trump paid no income taxes some year. If he earned no net income that year, he owes no income taxes. That's the law; get over it. Warren Buffett says he won't pay one cent he doesn't have to because the government wastes far too much.

How about you whiners who didn't like the election outcome let our government, from the legislature to the White House, do their GD job? Any legislator who promises to DO NOTHING BUT TRY TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT, and there have been several, should be banned from holding any national office because s/he is promising to abdicate his real job.

Exactly!!!! And don't forget Trump has had the NY AG up his ass for 30 years.

Why not? Because their returns have already passed IRS audits year after year after year after year. This BS is nothing more than one more witch hunt looking for some GD minutiae to bitch about. e.g., maybe Trump paid no income taxes some year. If he earned no net income that year, he owes no income taxes. That's the law; get over it. Warren Buffett says he won't pay one cent he doesn't have to because the government wastes far too much.

How about you whiners who didn't like the election outcome let our government, from the legislature to the White House, do their GD job? Any legislator who promises to DO NOTHING BUT TRY TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT, and there have been several, should be banned from holding any national office because s/he is promising to abdicate his real job.

the IRS does not care if you are bankrupt owing billions to a KGB agent you low to no level thinker. The IRS does not care if you are lying to get elected. can you right wingers get a right winger with a brain that can think on this forum so we can have a thinking right winger if there is one._________________when good people stay silent the right wing are the only ones heard.

Why not? Because their returns have already passed IRS audits year after year after year after year. This BS is nothing more than one more witch hunt looking for some GD minutiae to bitch about. e.g., maybe Trump paid no income taxes some year. If he earned no net income that year, he owes no income taxes. That's the law; get over it. Warren Buffett says he won't pay one cent he doesn't have to because the government wastes far too much.

How about you whiners who didn't like the election outcome let our government, from the legislature to the White House, do their GD job? Any legislator who promises to DO NOTHING BUT TRY TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT, and there have been several, should be banned from holding any national office because s/he is promising to abdicate his real job.

Exactly!!!! And don't forget Trump has had the NY AG up his ass for 30 years.

do us a favor you russian troll, put the links to the documentation you are citing._________________when good people stay silent the right wing are the only ones heard.

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